ElNono
05-03-2014, 10:39 PM
NBA will appoint CEO of Clippers (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10878732/nba-appoint-ceo-run-los-angeles-clippers)
The NBA will appoint a chief executive officer to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Clippers, the league announced Saturday.
Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5 million on Tuesday by commissioner Adam Silver for racist remarks he made that were published by TMZ.
Team president Andy Roeser, one of the Clippers' two alternate governors besides Sterling, had been in charge of the team since Silver's announcement on Tuesday. Roeser, however, drew the ire of many in the organization after he released a statement initially giving Sterling the benefit of the doubt in the wake of Sterling's remarks.
Once appointed, sources said, the CEO will supersede Roeser, and be given the power to decide if Roeser remains with the organization.
The decision to appoint a CEO was made in concert with the Clippers organization. No timetable for the appointment was given except to say that it would be made "quickly."
"The best way to ensure the stability of the team during this difficult situation is to move quickly and install a CEO to oversee the Clippers organization," league spokesman Mike Bass said. "The process of identifying that individual is underway."
The process is reminiscent of the NBA appointing Jack Sperling to oversee the New Orleans Hornets when it operated the franchise in 2011-12 after owner George Shinn no longer had the means to.
Coach Doc Rivers, who is also the team's vice president of basketball operations, will continue to run the basketball side with vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks.
"The NBA has to do their job, they really do," Rivers said. "They have a lot on their plate as well and I don't think this is something that they can wait on. They're going to do their job."
Donald Sterling's wife Shelly, co-owner of the team, said in a statement that she fully supports the decision.
"I spoke with Commissioner Adam Silver this week to tell him that I fully supported his recent swift and decisive action," she said. "We also agreed at that time that, as a next step, both the league and the team should work together to find some fresh, accomplished executive leadership for the Clippers. I welcome his active involvement in the search for a person of the utmost character, proven excellence and a commitment to promoting equality and inclusiveness."
She added: "As a co-owner, I am fully committed to taking the necessary steps to make the Clippers the best team in the NBA. That has been my aspiration ever since 1981."
The NBA will appoint a chief executive officer to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles Clippers, the league announced Saturday.
Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5 million on Tuesday by commissioner Adam Silver for racist remarks he made that were published by TMZ.
Team president Andy Roeser, one of the Clippers' two alternate governors besides Sterling, had been in charge of the team since Silver's announcement on Tuesday. Roeser, however, drew the ire of many in the organization after he released a statement initially giving Sterling the benefit of the doubt in the wake of Sterling's remarks.
Once appointed, sources said, the CEO will supersede Roeser, and be given the power to decide if Roeser remains with the organization.
The decision to appoint a CEO was made in concert with the Clippers organization. No timetable for the appointment was given except to say that it would be made "quickly."
"The best way to ensure the stability of the team during this difficult situation is to move quickly and install a CEO to oversee the Clippers organization," league spokesman Mike Bass said. "The process of identifying that individual is underway."
The process is reminiscent of the NBA appointing Jack Sperling to oversee the New Orleans Hornets when it operated the franchise in 2011-12 after owner George Shinn no longer had the means to.
Coach Doc Rivers, who is also the team's vice president of basketball operations, will continue to run the basketball side with vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks.
"The NBA has to do their job, they really do," Rivers said. "They have a lot on their plate as well and I don't think this is something that they can wait on. They're going to do their job."
Donald Sterling's wife Shelly, co-owner of the team, said in a statement that she fully supports the decision.
"I spoke with Commissioner Adam Silver this week to tell him that I fully supported his recent swift and decisive action," she said. "We also agreed at that time that, as a next step, both the league and the team should work together to find some fresh, accomplished executive leadership for the Clippers. I welcome his active involvement in the search for a person of the utmost character, proven excellence and a commitment to promoting equality and inclusiveness."
She added: "As a co-owner, I am fully committed to taking the necessary steps to make the Clippers the best team in the NBA. That has been my aspiration ever since 1981."